Hi. New member here. Anyone want to chat with me about buying my first truck?

[williamkwong]

Hi there. I've been lurking around and reading a bunch of threads since I am considering buying a new Tacoma within the next year or so. Of course I have a few questions and would like to ask the owners directly. I am very interested in getting a white 4x2 Double Cab PreRunner V6 5-Speed Auto with the optional combo package B that is the TRD Off-Road package + SR5 package 2. Heres the thing though. I have no need for a truck, I simply think they are great looking and performing vehicles. The only real thing holding me back right now is the change of gas milage from my current car. I get about 250 miles to my 11 gallon tank right now, and from the looks of it, getting the truck will really drop that number. I know...I know...its a truck. But regardless, gas milage and gas costs play a role as a deciding factor.

Also, I would like to see what you guys think of this vehicle being my daily driver. I have a 10 mile commute to work through the city, and rack up about 1200 miles a month. I will probably use the bed for hauling my mountain bike around...other than that, I dont have a daily use for it.

In addition, are there some basic not so obvious things I should know about moving from a car (1999 Integra GS) to a truck? How about the new Tacoma in general? I read some threads about squeaking leaf springs and loose dash pieces. But both seem to have a solution.

Almost lastly, my friends told me that since the Tacoma is such a popular truck, dealerships will hardly haggle with you on the price. How true is this? For the truck and options that I want, toyota.com gives me a total of $26,880 (before tax and papers). Did you guys pay whatever the dealership wanted? Were you guys able to go lower than what is stickered on the window? I live in the Bay Area and there are more than a handful of dealerships around here.

Lastly, you guys have a great board it seems. And the picture thread up top is to drool for.

Thanks.

[deadweight]

I bought my Tacoma DC at the end of October with basically the same options as what you're looking at except I got the TRD Sport and it's silver. I use it as a daily driver and I think its great. Moving up from a compact car(I had a 2000 civic) you feel as if you have a better view of the road now, and it feels like other cars are less likely to miss you in their blind spot. You won't be taking the turns as fast as you would normally with a compact car either.

With haggling on the price, I sent an e-mail to my dealership's internet manager of sales, and when I sat down with him he gave me a print out of what the dealership paid for the truck and options, since he knew I was of the newer breed of car buyers that's internet savvy and I did my research. So, I think overall I only paid maybe a couple hundred over invoice. Go to KBB or Edmunds and price the options you're looking for and it'll say the market average that people are buying that vehicle for.

I'm completely satsified with my truck, and I think most everyone here is as well. Good luck with it!

[cj99si]

If you have no need for a truck, enjoy driving more and get a car.

[toku58]

If you get the 2 wheel drive pre-runner your gas milage will be about the same as your car.
But if you are looking at a 4x4? Then you can expect about 17ish mpg.

[TucsonTRD]

you'll see prolly about 20 mpg from the 2wd. so it won't be a whole lot worse than your current car, but still a little less. i don't know much about it, but look into going through costco for purchasing the truck. it seems they have some way of getting good deals on them

[tim.powerbook]

well, they are very nice looking trucks, and if that's what you want, then get it. you'll be happier if you get what you want, no matter what it is.

if gas mileage is an issue, maybe consider getting a 4-cylinder prerunner? only thing is that they don't make it in a double cab. i have the access cab 4-cylinder prerunner. looks exactly like the V-6 model. and it drives pretty quick for a 4 cylinder (under 9 seconds 0-60 i believe). but if you need the double cab, the pricing really isn't any different on the V-6 or 4 cyliner (at least around here)

the V-6 is really nice with power, but the 4 has better gas mileage and reliability (so we're told)

i paid a little under invoice i think

[williamkwong]

Thanks for the replies.

I will check out edmunds and kbb regarding the pricing. I still have quite a while before purchasing.

I havent gotten a chance to test drive the truck yet. Every time I go to the dealership, they were very busy. So I just walk and check out the different models they have. I was also considering the FJ Cruiser, but changed my mind the second I put my hands on the door handles. And sitting inside didnt change my decision back.

But anyway. If I do end up with the truck, I was thinking about putting on a cap on the lid. Does anyone off the top of their head how much one would weigh? This was another reason why I am picking the V6 over the I4. I'd imagine that a I4 would have trouble moving a 3500+ lb vehicle.

[TacomaKid06]

I bought a 2006 Double Cab 4x4 TRD Sport with tow pkg. I travel almost 90 miles a day and With my comute I get about 400 miles to a tank. I can make my trip from SF to Santa Clara 4 times before I have to fill up again. And thats with a mix of coasting at 70 and a more spirited 95. Do yourself a favor and get the TRD Sport Double Cab Prerunner no tow pkg. You'll get better gas milage and have the powerful V6 engine. You'll love it. I love mine more and more each time I see it, think about it, get in it, drive it, park it, and cruise in it. Man I love this truck. I cant wait to go home from work just so I can drive it, and also because I need sleep for tomorrows 12 shift. Almost 6000 miles on it now with not a single problem. I'm incredibly happy. You will be too. But it's all up to you. Oh yea, with the DC SB and Tow pkg I still get 0-60 in about 7 secconds. Heh.

[cdebnil]

Hey, William. This is my first post and I just purchased a new 2006 Tacoma Double Cab Prerunner SR5 on Friday. As far as dealerships not willing to budge on the price, it depends on where you live and what kind of inventory the dealership has. Trucks are very popular in TX and there are many Toyota dealerships in the area. I would first determine what kind of truck you're looking for. 4x4 or 4x2? Long bed or short bed? Regular, Acess or Double Cab? etc...there are tons of different configurations. Next, if you work for a large corporation, I would talk to your benefits department and see if the company has a fleet discount with Toyota. Although it was not advertised anywhere, my company did actually have a fleet discount for employees. Before TTL, It ended up being about $1000 less then invoice price and about $4200 less then the MSRP sticker price that you get on the website configuration. I was able to haggle since it was the only 2006 left on the lot and they wanted to move it. To determine the invoice pricing of the vehicle you're interested in, like everyone else said go to edmunds.com and configure the vehicle you're looking for. It will give you a TMV price, what you absolutely should not pay above, msrp, and the invoice price. From what I've seen, the TMV price it gives is a little high and you should be able to go lower.

If you dont have fleet pricing, I would go ahead and deal with the internet sales for every dealership within a 200 mile radius of where you live and see who gives you the best price.

[tacobill]

William-Used to have a Mazda 3S and a Dodge Ram QuadCab. Wanted to have 1 vehicle for awhile. Now my only vehicle is the Tacoma and I really like it. It handles well for a truck and I have the exact packages you are considering. I average 20-21 mpg and drive it like I stole it.

The big surprise is how sharp it turns--I hang u-turns in much less space than my Mazda 3S or Focus SVT and the truck is extremely peppy and willing to run. (have the short bed)

$$$$$$ I bought in March and paid $3500 off sticker, or about $800 below dealer invoice. I considered that a great price. Good luck and happy hunting!

[williamkwong]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I actually went out and test drove a DC, short bed, V6, TRD Off Road, automatic. Lets just say I wasnt thrilled about the purchase anymore. This is only coming from a short 3-4 mile test drive in the city during rush hour, so I might have had the best chance to see what it can do in the city.

First off, I love how the exterior and interior looks. The center console is a bit flashy, but I can over look that. Everything was what I wanted. Then it came to starting the car, the truck sounded great at a cold start standing outside. It really sounded like it meant power. I get in and close the door, it gets very quiet. I was actually very surprised. First we drove to the gas station through some heafty traffic. I probably got up to 40-45 at most. I noticed that the RPMs stayed VERY low...under 2k for the most part. Fine, since it is a truck...but I was use to my Integra. Then I noticed that it shifts very early, it felt like it went into second gear at around 10 mph. That was VERY weird. So I pushed on the gas a little harder, but it still felt like it shifts earlier than it should.

Next we took it up a very steep hill. Generally, in my Integra, I would be in 2nd gear screaming at 5-6k making it up the hill. In the truck, I believe it held at 3rd gear at around 50mph. It really felt like it was powerless. I expected much more torque and to be just flying up that hill. I pushed the pedal down a bit more, almost to the point of WOT. The power just never came. By that time I was on top of the hill. That stretch just left me wanted more power.

Then we went back to the dealership where I told the guy I needed more time to decide. He gave me his card and we went our ways. I dont know if I gave the Tacoma a fair drive, or if my expectations were just too high. I will test drive it another time when I get closer to driving. I have to find a time where I can actually have more space in the road. But in the mean time, I am checking out the Mazda Speed 3.

And TacomaKid06, you have some really great numbers for your truck.

Edit: And in terms of price, it had everything I wanted + a $650 towing package and ~$100 floor mats. The sticker was at $26,2xx.

[TacomaKid06]

Originally Posted by williamkwong

It really felt like it was powerless.

Power...less?!? Aww man, that hits me right here ya know? I never heard somebody talk about the tacoma as powerless..... I'm about to cry lol. Powerless.... *shakes head*

[tim.powerbook]

sounds to me you just gotta 'put the pedal to the metal'

but seriously, give it another go. sure you don't want a manual? then you're in control and what you're saying isn't an issue

[williamkwong]

Originally Posted by TacomaKid06

Power...less?!? Aww man, that hits me right here ya know? I never heard somebody talk about the tacoma as powerless..... I'm about to cry lol. Powerless.... *shakes head*

Hehe. I hope I am dead wrong about saying that. But yea, I will give it another go. I think it was just bad timing with the traffic in the streets. I didnt want to push an unfamiliar car with everyone driving around in stop and go traffic.

[zmtnbik]

William, check out this threat: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t165044.html
It's all about the deals people got on their Taco's. Toyota is also offering $750 cash back, which should bring you below dealer invoice. If after you have checked out Edmunds and KBB, take a look at Consumer Reports, for $14 you can order the New Car Buying report with the Bottom line pricing. It shows you the MSRP next to the Dealer's price, very helpful tool when you are negotiating with the dealers, and for only $14, it's well worth it.

I too drive an Acura Integra GS, 1991, with 242k miles....my V6 6-speed Taco blows it away. And now that I have the TRD CAI and TRD exhaust.....it really screams.